How to Start a Gratitude Journal and Stick to It

This blog is for my people! My people who don't have time, forget, or just don't want to journal everyday. With so much going on around us, sometimes it's difficult to get motivated and set aside time for ourselves. One thing we should all put into practice, at a minimum, is gratitude journaling.

Gratitude journaling is a powerful practice that can help you cultivate a more positive outlook on life. By focusing on the things you're thankful for, you can increase your happiness, reduce stress, and improve your overall well-being. But how do you get started with a gratitude journal, and more importantly, how do you stick to it?

Here are some tips to help you begin your gratitude journaling journey and make it a habit.

Choose a Journal

The first step in starting a gratitude journal is to choose a journal that you love. It doesn't have to be anything fancy; a simple notebook or even a digital document will do. The most important thing is that it's a journal that you enjoy using and that feels comfortable to you. Of course DivaDork has some awesome journals to help you get started!

Set a Routine

To make gratitude journaling a habit, it's important to set a routine. Decide on a specific time of day when you'll write in your journal, whether it's in the morning when you wake up, during your lunch break, or before bed. You may also find a few places that inspire you to write. In the warmer months, consider sitting at the park or out on your patio. In the cooler months, curl up by the fire with a cozy blanket. Create the atmosphere that makes it comfortable for you to write. By creating a routine, you'll be more likely to stick to your gratitude journaling practice. Make your routine what YOU need it to be.

Start Small

When you're just starting out with gratitude journaling, it's important to start small. Don't feel like you need to write a novel every day. Instead, start with just one thing that you're grateful for and write a sentence or two about it. As you get more comfortable with the practice, you can increase the amount of time you spend journaling. There are some days I can't wait to get home to write about something that make me so grateful for the day.

Focus on Specifics

When you're writing in your gratitude journal, try to focus on specific things that you're grateful for. Instead of just writing "I'm grateful for my family," try to think of specific things that your family has done for you recently that you're thankful for. This will help you cultivate a more mindful appreciation for the things in your life. Again, it doesn't have to be a 300-word essay. A few sentences go a long way to capturing that memory.

Make it Personal

Gratitude journaling is a personal practice, so don't feel like you need to follow any specific rules or guidelines. Make your journaling experience your own by writing about the things that are most meaningful to you. You can also add your own personal touch to your journal by using colorful pens or stickers, or by drawing pictures to accompany your entries.

Keep it Simple

Remember that gratitude journaling doesn't have to be complicated. It's a simple practice that can have a big impact on your life. Keep your entries short and sweet. Don't worry about making them perfect. The most important thing is that you're taking the time to reflect on the things you're thankful for.

Starting a gratitude journal can be a powerful way to cultivate more positivity and appreciation in your life. By choosing a journal you love, setting a routine, starting small, focusing on specifics, making it personal, and keeping it simple, you can create a gratitude journaling practice that sticks. Give it a try and see how it can improve your life!